Multi-Port System and Method for Routing a Data Element Within an Interconnection Fabric

1. A switch adapted to couple between (1) a circuit, said circuit in communication with a host processor via a bus and being operated independently as a bridge, capable of supporting PCI Type 0 and Type 1 configuration cycles, and being operable to send outgoing information serially in a form different from that of said bus; and (2) a remote device, wherein said remote device is responsive to PCI configuration cycles originating from said processor and further comprises a storage element adapted to implement a standard PCI configuration space; said switch comprising a plurality of ports, and a storage element adapted to implement a standard PCI configuration space, whereby said switch is responsive to PCI configuration cycles originating from said processor, is operable as an independent bridge, capable of supporting PCI Type 0 and Type 1 configuration cycles, and is adapted to perform address translation.

2. The switch of claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a segment table.